Officer Matt West was an employee of the City of Peoria as a police officer. Officer West sustained multiple injuries while working for the City of Peoria on February 11, 2020. Officer West was involved in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a robbery. Officer West was hospitalized due to his injuries for 8 days. Officer West underwent an open repair with internal fixation to repair his right ankle trimalleolar fracture.  Officer West was diagnosed with a right ankle fracture, right wrist fracture, left wrist fracture, lacerations to his hands/fingers, facial lacerations, nasal fracture, concussion, low back sprain, cervical strain, and aggravation of bilateral hip arthritis.

Prior to trial, there was not a settlement offer. After a lengthy trial and the evidence presented, Officer West received a favorable award, including payment of medical expenses from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

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Firefighter Stephen Bresnahan was an employee of the City of Pekin as a fire captain. Firefighter Bresnahan sustained an injury while working for the City of Pekin on May 4, 2020. Firefighter Bresnahan sustained a work-related heart attack on that date. As a result of the work injuries, Firefighter Bresnahan filed for line of duty pension disability benefits. Firefighter Bresnahan was evaluated by 3 pension doctors and was found to have permanent restrictions and unable to return to work as a fire captain.

Subsequent to the pension trial, Firefighter Bresnahan was awarded his lien of duty disability benefits by the pension board. Firefighter Bresnahan received his line of duty benefits dating back to May 4, 2020.

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Firefighter John Schnibben was an employee of the City of Peoria as a fire captain. Firefighter Schnibben sustained an injury while working for the City of Peoria on April 9, 2019. Firefighter Schnibben fell 12 feet from a ladder, fracturing his right hip. As a result of the work injuries, Firefighter Schnibben filed for line of duty pension disability benefits. Firefighter Schnibben was evaluated by 3 pension doctors and was found to have permanent restrictions and unable to return to work as a fire captain.

After a lengthy trial and the evidence was presented, Firefighter Schnibben was awarded his line of duty disability benefits by the pension board. Firefighter Schnibben received his line of duty benefits dating back to April 9, 2019.

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Firefighter Greg Down was an employee of the City of Champaign as a fire engineer. Firefighter Down sustained an injury while working for the City of Champaign on February 4, 2019. Firefighter Down slipped and fell in the firehouse, injuring his right elbow, hip, back, neck and shoulder. Firefighter Down was diagnosed with neck pain, right shoulder surgery, right total hip replacement, and L5-S1 back fusion. As a result of the work injuries, Firefighter Down filed for line of duty pension disability benefits. Firefighter Down was evaluated by 3 pension doctors and was found to have permanent restrictions and unable to return to work as a firefighter.

After a lengthy trial and the evidence was presented, Firefighter Down was awarded his line of duty disability benefits by the pension board. Firefighter Down received his line of duty benefits dating back to February 4, 2019.

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Officer Tim Wight was an employee of the City of Peoria as a police officer. Officer Wight sustained an injury while working for the City of Peoria on July 28, 2017. Officer Wight was chasing a suspect when he fell face first into a driveway, injuring his head and wrist. Officer Wight was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and a wrist surgery. As a result of the work injuries, officer Wight filed for line of duty pension disability benefits. Officer Wight was evaluated by 3 pension doctors and was found to have permanent restrictions and unable to return to work as a police officer.

The City of Peoria intervened in the pension disability hearing process and fully participated in the trial in front of the pension board. After a lengthy trial and an enormous amount of evidence presented, officer Wight was awarded his line of duty disability benefits by the pension board. Officer Wight received his line of duty benefits dating back to July 28, 2017.

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Bowman was working for Otto Baum when he had a terrible fall. He suffered a tear of the subscapularis tendon of the left shoulder, superior labral tearing with biceps tendon subluxation of the left shoulder, and AC joint arthrosis of the left shoulder. Bowman received a favorable award from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, and Otto Baum appealed the award to the Circuit Court. After many hearings, this case settled for a significant award, including medical expenses.

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A heavy machine operator for M.J. Electric suffered catastrophic injuries while working for M.J. Electric. On November 9, 2014, Stigall was pulled into the air by a rope caught on his right left. He suffered injuries to his right leg, right foot, left leg, back, left shoulder, body as a whole. The nature of Stigall’s injuries were left knee internal derangement with multiple surgeries, including knee replacement, right foot osteoarthrosis and derangement with multiple surgeries, including midfoot fusion and ongoing necrotic tissue and wound closure issues, low back strain, left shoulder distal clavicle fracture with surgery, and thoracic vertebra fracture. Stigall has permanent work restrictions. As a result of the injuries, he is unable to return to work. Stephen P. Kelly was able to settle Stigall’s workers’ compensation case settled for $400,000.00, plus a CMS approved Medicare Set Aside funding of $170,842.00, and $40,694.15 for non-Medicare covered expenses.

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A police officer for the City of Jacksonville suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of working for the City of Jacksonville. Officer Vasquez was unable to return to work as a police officer for the City of Jacksonville. An Application for Pension benefits was submitted by Officer Vasquez. With Stephen P. Kelly as his attorney, an all day trial occurred. Officer Vasquez was awarded his “on-line duty benefits” under the Pension Act. Officer Vasquez will also be entitled to his PSEBA benefits as a result of this victory. Officer Vasquez will also expect to receive his benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

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A police officer for the City of Peoria suffered catastrophic injuries while working for the City of Peoria. Due to his injuries, Ian McDowell was unable to return to work as a police officer for the City of Peoria. Ian Dowell received a favorable settlement in front of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Following the settlement of his workers’ compensation case, his attorney, Stephen P. Kelly tried the issue as to whether Officer McDowell would be entitled to his “on-line duty” disability benefits under the Pension Act. After trial, Officer McDowell was awarded his benefits under the Pension Act. Additionally, Stephen P. Kelly was able to obtain Officer McDowell’s PSEBA benefits.

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